Maryland Politics: General Assembly

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan released his first budget of his second term Friday — a $46.6 billion proposal that would boost money for public education and give raises to all state employees. Here are five takeaways from the spending plan for the fiscal year that starts July 1: Democrats generally...

Maryland’s black lawmakers are asking Gov. Larry Hogan to meet with them to discuss settling a long-running lawsuit that alleges the state fostered segregation at its public universities. Members of the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland delivered a letter Friday to Hogan’s office, seeking the...

Gov. Larry Hogan pledged to increase funding for public education and give all state employees raises in a $46.6 billion budget he will propose Friday to the General Assembly. Under the governor’s plan, each of the state’s local school systems would receive more state money in the next fiscal year...

As the longest federal government shutdown in history continues, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan gave his second inaugural address Wednesday, and denounced the state of American politics in Washington. Here are five takeaways from his speech, as prepared for delivery: No mention of Trump by name, but...

The text of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s second inaugural address on Wednesday, as prepared for delivery: “It is such an honor to be standing here at this historic state house where General George Washington resigned his commission as commander of the Continental Forces and where the Revolutionary...

Maryland’s two-term Republican Gov. Larry Hogan urged a different direction for the GOP on Wednesday after taking the oath of office for another four years. With President Donald Trump deeply unpopular in Maryland and the federal government partially shut down over Trump’s demands for a border...

Maryland’s judiciary fielded 302 requests to remove firearms from individuals over the first three months of the state’s “red flag” gun safety law — including five cases involving threats against schools. “These orders are not only being issued appropriately; they are saving lives,” Montgomery...

Gov. Larry Hogan announced Tuesday that he plans to propose $5 million in spending in his next budget for security grants for houses of worship, schools and day care centers. The governor’s budget is due Friday to the General Assembly. Hogan’s office said the budget will include a $3 million grant...

A full day of activities marks the inauguration Wednesday of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford. Here’s what you need to know to take in the day: What’s the big deal? Hogan has been sworn into office and begun his second term as governor. He’s only the second Republican re-elected...

Advocates and lawmakers began their push Monday to gradually raise Maryland’s minimum wage to $15 by 2023, a starting point for negotiations on what’s expected to be one of the hottest topics of this year’s General Assembly session. The state’s minimum wage is currently $10.10 per hour. “For far...

The first full week of the Maryland General Assembly session opens Monday — after the swearing in of a new state Senate and House of Delegates and the revelation that Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller is fighting prostate cancer in the session’s first days. This week, Gov. Larry Hogan will...

Baltimore County’s Kathy Klausmeier presided over the state Senate for the first time Friday, substituting for President Thomas V. Mike Miller as he underwent chemotherapy treatment. Klausmeier is the new president pro tempore of the state Senate, and Miller’s revelation this week that he has prostate...

Maryland prosecutors said Thursday they have charged the top aide of a state delegate with making illegal robocalls about rights for transgender people against fellow Republican Delegate Kathy Szeliga, who is a member of the state’s GOP leadership. State Prosecutor Emmet Davitt announced misdemeanor...

An emotional Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller, a powerful and long-tenured figure in state government, announced Thursday he is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer and vowed to continue working throughout the General Assembly session. “I fully intend to fight this disease, as...

State Sen. Guy Guzzone took his seat as Maryland’s new senate majority leader and several new members of the Howard County delegation took the oath of office on Wednesday’s opening day of the General Assembly. The 90-day session got started with the pomp and circumstance customary in Annapolis,...

With spouses and children by their sides, Maryland's 188 lawmakers were sworn into office Wednesday. The House of Delegates and state Senate held simultaneous ceremonies at noon on opposite sides of the State House. While lawmakers are expected to hash out tricky issues over the next 90 days, the...

Longtime state Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller used a cane Wednesday on the first day of Maryland’s General Assembly session and said he has hip and knee problems. “People have been wondering about my health. I’ve got a cane. I’ve got a bad hip. I’ve got a bad knee,” Miller told reporters...

As Maryland lawmakers got back to work Wednesday, Gov. Larry Hogan expressed concern about the consequences of increasing the state’s minimum wage to $15 per hour. “It sounds really good to just, without any real discussion, say: ‘Hey, people should make more money, especially people that are in...

As Maryland’s 188 lawmakers prepare to head into their 90-day session Wednesday, political party leaders gave them conflicting messages about bipartisanship. Standing outside a closed-door lunch Tuesday at the State House complex, Republican leaders said they would avoid the partisan bickering...

A poll of Maryland voters found strong support for a referendum on whether to legalize sports betting in the state. Registered voters polled by Gonzales Research & Media Services supported the referendum, which is expected to be considered in the General Assembly session that starts Wednesday,...

Two Baltimore lawmakers said Monday that they will introduce legislation in this General Assembly session to permanently ban the city from placing liens against homes, churches and other properties over unpaid water bills. Community advocates and church groups have called on the city to end the...

Baltimore could become part of a growing movement that would offer more voters a chance to participate in its Democratic primaries and a new way to determine the winners. The Maryland General Assembly will consider a bill to allow the Baltimore City Council to establish open primary elections or...

Members: 188 _ 47 senators and 141 members of the House of Delegates Party breakdown: 99 House Democrats and 42 House Republicans. The Senate will have 32 Democrats and 15 Republicans. New to the job: 60 legislators are taking office following the 2018 election, 43 in the House and 17 in the Senate,...

Maryland’s 188 lawmakers go back to work Wednesday for their annual 90-day General Assembly session. From abortion to marijuana to sports betting, here’s a look at at some of the key issues they’ll be facing. Sports betting An increasing number of states are allowing sports betting, and many people...

The leaders of Maryland’s five General Assembly caucuses are preparing for what they say will be a busy legislative session across the board. In addition to party caucuses in each chamber of the legislature, there are the caucuses representing the interests of African-Americans, Asian-Americans...

With the start of a new General Assembly session Wednesday in Annapolis, there’s been turnover in leadership positions, allowing fresh faces an opportunity to take power in the state capital. Meet some of the ascendant players in Maryland government and politics. Vanessa Atterbeary Howard County’s...

A much-anticipated proposal to significantly increase state aid to Maryland’s local school systems has been delayed yet another year, to the dismay of many teachers, parents and education advocates. Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House of Delegates Speaker Michael Busch on...

Maryland Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said he will push this General Assembly session for several law enforcement initiatives in Baltimore, including approving a private police force for Johns Hopkins University. Miller also said he wants to help Mayor Catherine Pugh hire 500 officers...

A new Maryland Stadium Authority study calls for demolishing Pimlico Race Course and rebuilding it at a cost of $424 million, according to a summary of the study’s findings obtained by The Baltimore Sun. The full study, which was released online Thursday morning, aims to design an ideal venue to...